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China's recent launch of an experimental reusable spaceplane on December 14 has sparked intrigue as it is being trailed by six unidentified objects, some of which are emitting signals. This marks the spaceplane's third mission, yet the specifics of its purpose remain undisclosed. Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley observed these "mysterious wingmen" four days into the mission, with varying signal emissions noted. Chinese state media reported that the spacecraft will conduct technology verification and space science experiments during its orbital period before returning to a designated landing site in China. Analysis of the signals from these objects suggests limited data transmission, with some resembling previous emissions from Chinese space vehicles. The exact role of these additional satellites and the nature of China's testing efforts continue to be unclear, raising questions about the implications for space exploration and technology. 
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Jan 15 2025, 2 ameznews.inChina has announced a significant oil discovery in the South China Sea, with the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) revealing that the Huizhou 19-6 oilfield contains over 100 million tons of proven reserves. Located approximately 170 kilometers off the coast of Shenzhen, the site was drilled to a depth of 5,415 meters, yielding 413 barrels of crude oil and 2.41 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from its test well. This discovery comes amid ongoing territorial disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea, where multiple nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines, assert competing claims. While the find bolsters China's energy security, it raises environmental concerns regarding the risks of deep-sea drilling and its implications for global climate commitments, as China aims for carbon neutrality by 2060. The impact of this discovery on regional tensions and energy stability remains to be seen. 
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Apr 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA recent study involving female mice aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 37 days has shed light on the effects of microgravity on bone density, crucial for understanding human health during extended space missions. NASA estimates that bone density in weight-bearing areas decreases by at least 1% per month in space, alongside a significant muscle mass loss. The research revealed that bone loss is site-specific; for instance, the femurs of the mice experienced greater loss compared to their spines, indicating that microgravity affects weight-loaded bones more severely than those influenced by muscle activity. Previous studies on medaka fish had shown that microgravity disrupts the balance between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-degrading osteoclasts, with the latter becoming more active in space. Interestingly, some bones, like the mandibles, showed increased density, potentially linked to changes in blood pressure during the initial days in orbit. The findings were published in the journal PLOS One. 
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Apr 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inOn March 28, a powerful earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities and thousands more injured, with tremors felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. Geologists have identified the quake as a "supershear" event, occurring along the Sagaing Fault, where the fault ruptured faster than seismic waves could travel, leading to a rapid and violent release of energy. Seismologist Frederik Tilmann noted that the rupture accelerated to speeds of approximately 5 km/s, with a total length exceeding 400 kilometers, possibly reaching 500 kilometers. The earthquake's shallow epicenter, just 10 kilometers below the surface, contributed to the intensity of the shaking, causing widespread destruction. However, significant questions remain regarding the earthquake's data collection, as only two of Myanmar's five seismic stations reported information, leaving uncertainties about the overall impact and response capabilities following the military coup in 2019. 
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Apr 05 2025, 1 pmeznews.inCERN is exploring the Future Circular Collider (FCC), a proposed particle accelerator that would surpass the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in size and capability. The FCC is envisioned to be 90.7 kilometers in circumference—over three times that of the LHC—and will be situated at an average depth of 200 meters, with eight surface sites and four experimental areas. A recent feasibility study examined over 100 scenarios for its construction, aiming to minimize environmental impact while maximizing scientific benefits. The project, estimated to cost 15 billion Swiss francs (approximately $17.5 billion), is set to begin in the 2030s, initially allowing electron-positron collisions, with potential upgrades for proton-proton collisions by the 2070s. CERN plans to engage with local communities regarding the project, which aims to be a sustainable research infrastructure, utilizing heat from the LHC's upgrades to benefit nearby villages. A final decision on the FCC is expected by 2028. 
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Apr 05 2025, 11 ameznews.inA tragic case has emerged from Belgium, where a 20-year-old student died after consuming five-day-old pasta that had been left at room temperature. The student, who prepared meals weekly to save time, reheated the spaghetti and attributed its odd taste to a new tomato sauce before heading out to play sports. Within half an hour, he experienced severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting but chose not to seek medical help. His parents found him unresponsive the next morning, and an autopsy revealed liver necrosis and signs of acute pancreatitis. Tests confirmed the presence of *Bacillus cereus*, a bacteria linked to food poisoning, particularly from improperly stored rice and pasta. This incident highlights the dangers of poor food hygiene practices, as *Bacillus cereus* poisoning is not uncommon, with previous cases resulting in severe illness and even death. 
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Apr 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA new study from the University of Bath suggests that the perceived political polarization in the United States may be overstated, as it focuses on differences rather than similarities between Democrats and Republicans. With the presidential election approaching, only 20% of independent voters remain undecided, reflecting a binary choice that many believe deepens societal divides. However, Dr. Lukas Wolf, the study's author, argues that when data is presented to highlight shared values rather than differences, voters perceive the two groups as more alike, fostering hope and trust. The research involved showing participants two different presentations of polling data: one emphasizing overlapping values and the other using truncated bar plots to highlight divisions. Those exposed to the overlapping distributions reported a greater sense of similarity and potential for compromise, while the bar plot group maintained a pessimistic view of inter-party relations. The findings underscore the significant impact of data presentation on public perception and societal cohesion. 
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Apr 05 2025, 5 ameznews.inAustralia is the fastest-moving continent, drifting northward atop the Indo-Australian tectonic plate at approximately 7 centimeters (just under 3 inches) annually, significantly outpacing the global average of 1.5 centimeters. This plate encompasses mainland Australia, Tasmania, parts of New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Indian Ocean basin. In the distant future, it may collide with the Eurasian plate, potentially forming a new landmass dubbed "Austrasia." Historically, Australia was part of the supercontinent Gondwana until it broke apart 200 million years ago. While the movement of tectonic plates is imperceptible in daily life, it poses challenges for geolocation technologies like GPS, which rely on fixed coordinates. Australia had to update its coordinates in 2017, correcting a 1.6-meter (5.2 feet) discrepancy that had developed over 23 years, officially moving the continent 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) northeast. 
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Apr 05 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel devised a systematic approach to winning lotteries, achieving remarkable success by winning 14 times. Initially using his method in Romania, Mandel later moved to Australia and identified lucrative opportunities in U.S. lotteries, particularly the Virginia lottery, which had a manageable number of combinations. By purchasing every possible ticket when jackpots exceeded three times the cost of buying all combinations, he ensured a return on investment. His team faced logistical challenges, including securing enough investors and managing the bulk purchase of tickets, but they successfully acquired 6.4 million of the 7 million combinations needed for a guaranteed win. Despite investigations by the FBI and CIA, Mandel faced no legal repercussions. Ultimately, he amassed millions in prize money, allowing him to retire to a beach house in Vanuatu, leaving behind a legacy of unconventional lottery success. 
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Apr 05 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn the latest episode of _Break It Down_, host Charlie Haigh delves into a range of intriguing scientific topics. A new study reveals the biological underpinnings of near-death experiences, while a camera trap submerged in Loch Ness for 55 years has yielded unexpected images. The episode also explores the challenges of orbiting Earth’s poles, insights from sediment cores taken from the Great Blue Hole regarding the Caribbean's climate history, and the ethical implications of offering cola to isolated communities. Additionally, it addresses the question of why frozen dinosaurs have never been found, providing compelling reasons for their absence. Listeners can access the podcast on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, to stay updated on the latest in science news. 
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Apr 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA puzzling physics contraption has captured the attention of Reddit users, who are questioning why it fails to turn. The device features a series of wheels and gears, including a large wheel and a smaller wheel, which are interconnected. Theoretically, if the larger wheel completes one rotation, the smaller wheel should rotate three times due to their size difference. However, this creates a paradox: the smaller wheel is also linked to another large wheel, which is supposed to turn at a different rate. This results in a scenario where the smaller wheel must rotate at both one and nine times per minute simultaneously, defying the laws of physics. The outcome hinges on the friction between the wheels; if they grip too tightly, the mechanism will jam, while excessive lubrication could allow for some movement. Ultimately, the contraption exemplifies the complexities of mechanical systems and the fundamental principles of physics. 
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